RONNY Deila “will not survive” if he loses to Rangers, says John Hartson; Celtic close in on Dundee United’s Stuart Armstrong; Darren Fletcher set to leave Manchester United for an English Premiership rival, plus all the rest of today’s football news and gossip

Darren Fletcher set for West Ham move

Celtic manager Ronny Deila. Picture: SNS

Scotland midfielder Darren Fletcher is poised to sign for West Ham despite the news that Michael Carrick has been sidelined for at least four weeks with a muscle injury.

‘’He is my third captain. He is an important guy in the dressing room. I like him as a human being and as a player. We shall miss him,” Van Gaal said.

“But he has not played so many times. I think always that is the main goal of a player. We have talked about that. He prefers to play. Therefore we have helped him to go away.” (Scotsman)

‘If you lose to Rangers you’re finished’, Deila told

Former Celtic striker John Hartson has declared that Ronny Deila’s managerial career at Parkhead will be over if he loses to Old Firm rivals Rangers on Sunday.

Hartson said: “The supporters would never forgive Deila if Rangers win. I don’t think he could survive a defeat.”

He added: “Deila would lose the faith of the supporters, who have stuck by him from day one - and there could be no way back from that.” (Scottish Sun)

Jon Daly: Old Firm match is my ‘biggest game’

Rangers striker Jon Daly is unconcerned that he and his Rangers team-mates have been largely written off by both bookmakers and media ahead of tomorrow’s showdown with Celtic.

“It doesn’t bother me at all,” he shrugged. “There is always a favourite in each game to you play and Celtic are rightly favourites for this one.”

He added: “Since I’ve been at Rangers, this is probably the biggest game I’ve been involved in. It would be nice to win it and give ourselves and the fans a big lift. I don’t think we’re more determined because Celtic are favourites. You should be determined in every game.” (Scotsman)

David Goodwillie has hailed the impact playing at Aberdeen has had on his career, which he says has revitalised him.

Ahead of his side’s League Cup semi-final with Dundee United, the Scotland striker said: “Coming to Aberdeen has turned my career around because I wasn’t in a good place,” he added. “I wasn’t playing. But I’ve come here and things have changed, so I am enjoying it.”

Answering a question on how his former team’s fans might greet him at Hampden the weekend, he added: “I don’t know how United fans will react to me. I gave them my all when I was there and I’ll be giving Aberdeen my all, so we’ll just have to see.” (Scotsman)

Les Hutchison completes takeover of Motherwell

Motherwell are a step closer to becoming a fan-owned club after Les Hutchison completed a successful takeover of the club. Hutchison, who now holds the majorty shareholding in the club after receiving them from John Boyle, was backed by the Well Society fans’ group. It is hoped that, through an interest-free loan provided by Hutchison, the group will get more than 70 per cent of shares.

Hutchison said: “Hopefully we can change the agenda of the club. The objective and the agreement is in five years or less we make the improvements needed at the club, that we move into the position of being self-funded then migrate the ownership to the Well Society.” (Daily Express)

Celtic close in on Dundee United’s Stuart Armstrong

Celtic are engaged in tricky negotiations to sign Dundee United midfielder Stuart Armstrong as they try to haggle over the player’s price.

The club has already offered £1.5 million for the 22-year-old, but it is thought that Dundee United want at least one million more for the player.

Celtic have already signed Gary Mackay-Steven from Tannadice on a pre-contract deal, and want to make Armstrong their second signing from Tayside - but they face competition from a host of English clubs, and are keen to seal the deal before the window shuts. (Scottish Sun)